Downing Elementary School

298 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 5th

School Overview

Downing Elementary School, located in the North End of Tacoma, Washington, is a neighborhood school serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. As part of the Tacoma Public Schools district, Downing is known for its focus on fostering a supportive community environment that emphasizes both academic growth and social-emotional development. The school prides itself on maintaining strong partnerships with families and the surrounding neighborhood to create an inclusive atmosphere for its diverse student body.

The school’s curriculum is designed to meet state standards while incorporating programs that encourage critical thinking and collaboration. In addition to core subjects, Downing provides various extracurricular opportunities and support services to ensure that students receive a well-rounded education. With its location in the historic North Orchard area, the school remains a central hub for local families, prioritizing a safe, encouraging space that prepares students for the transition to middle school and beyond.

298

Total Students

16.5

Full-Time Teachers

18.1

Student/Teacher Ratio

53.4%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Downing Elementary School
Demographic	Student Count
White	174
Hispanic	34
Black	20
Asian	5
Two or More	59
American Indian	1
Pacific Islander	5

White
174 (58.4%)
Two or More
59 (19.8%)
Hispanic
34 (11.4%)
Black
20 (6.7%)
Asian
5 (1.7%)
Pacific Islander
5 (1.7%)
American Indian
1 (0.3%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	N/A
District:	Tacoma School District
Phone:	(253)571-7100
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 5th
Total Students:	298
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	16.5
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	18.1
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	116
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	43

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Pre-Kindergarten 17

Kindergarten 62

Grade 1 45

Grade 2 54

Grade 3 41

Grade 4 36

Grade 5 43

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Downing Elementary School
Grade	Student Count
Pre-Kindergarten	17
Kindergarten	62
Grade 1	45
Grade 2	54
Grade 3	41
Grade 4	36
Grade 5	43

Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Downing Elementary School
Gender	Student Count	Percentage
Female	134	45%
Male	164	55%

Nearby Elementary Schools (Within 10 Miles)